Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games. This splendid universe belongs to the one and only Suzanne Collins.
Lucida POV:
I take a deep breath and give myself a moment to contemplate the scene around me. For a moment, I don't even recognize my home. What happen to the glorious days of District 5? How is this possible? Have we not suffered enough? I am extremely concentrated in my ongoing list of unanswered questions when I hear a familiar voice calling my name and approaching me. It's obviously Belmont, the only person I feel safe around.
"Good morning, Lucida. Are you hungry?" He says.
I hesitate before answering. I know I haven't eaten in the most appropriate way possible for the last few months, but he is sacrificing his share of food for the day and offering it to me.
"Hi, Belmont!" I respond. "I am not that hungry don't worry. In fact, I just ate a couple of berries I found in some bushes."
Obviously a lie, but it doesn't matter because I know I am a terrific liar. Not that I am proud of it, but the skill has proven itself valuable in the last year, and I have no intention to put it down.
We stare at each other's face for a while. He gently presses his lips against my left cheek, and as a response I let my fingers travel through his chest. I know we shouldn't do this, at least not today. But since the night we confessed our mutual love, staying away from him gives me a sense of fear and despair. Sometimes I think we found this connection because both of our fathers died in the uprising war against the Capitol. Before the war, Belmont was not even my friend. I suppose we did exchange friendly greeting during our childhood, but nothing more. However, now I can't imagine life without him.
Belmont is nineteen, and the eldest of three brothers. Of course, know he is in charge of his home since his mother is still in a coma state in the district's Heath Facility. He doesn't like to talk about it. But I know the doctors said that his mother state is possibly permanent. As I am extracted by my own thoughts from the reality, Belmont brings me back by whispering into my ear.
"Are you fine?" He asks. "I know that this whole thing is ridiculous, but just think about it. If we get through today, we could finally get married and move on."
I genuinely smile with his words. I mean, he is the only one that has the power to soothe me. I process his words and know that he is right. But fear, starts climbing through my back. Suddenly, I realize that we are late.
"We better get going," I say with the gentlest tone of voice I can. "The reaping is about to start, and I want this day to be over as soon as possible."
Belmont takes me by the hand, and we start walking to the District's main plaza, where the new Mayor's Hall is being built. Since we lost the war to the Capitol, those cruel bastards took control of all of Panem. The Capitol even destroyed our fellow District 13. I feel disgusted by just remembering it. The Capitol not only destroyed it, but it also took cameras and broadcast its devastation to all the remaining districts. The Capitol showed this as a warning to anyone that dare rebel against it. Nevertheless, those cold blooded beasts didn't stopped there. For almost a year they kept us in the expectation of the punishment for the rest of the Districts. But we could have never imagined the atrocity they were planning for us. Last week, they sent a message to all the districts with a Pamphlet proclaiming a slaughter that will be known as The Hunger Games, as if we were not already starving. The Hunger Games, as the pamphlet described them, was going to be a kind of tournament in which all district had to send one boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18. Those kids would be sent to an arena to kill each other, until one sole victor remains. WHAT?!
The capitol people are demented! Districts consider themselves as brothers. Why would they do this to us we already lost so many. I know they want to satisfy their thirst of blood, but this is so morbid. "Teenagers killing each other, kids which have no combat experience."
I keep on thinking. Not realizing that I just let skip my last thought at loud. It is not until Belmont gently kisses my hand that I notice.
"Sorry" I say.
"You don't have to apologize to me, and you know it" he says, "Well at least not for that."
I give him a slight smile and say, "well, at least I have no brothers to worry about in today's reaping. And yours will not be in danger for a couple of more."
"That's right." He says "and that's the reason why we will celebrate tonight. When this is all over, I will take you to my place and we will eat some berries I collected for you. "
"That's perfect" I answer. However I can't even manage to control my voice from breaking when we finally enter the main plaza. Everything looks so somber, and I know that Belmont has to go. I have to go and sign in with the peacekeepers, and he must go into the observer's balcony.
I give him a slight smile and go to my place. I am definitely not so worry. I am 18, and I know this will be my only year in this torture. I try to distract myself thinking about the wedding plans that will start to get shape tonight. However, can't help to feel bad for the twelve year olds that will have to endure this for all of their teenage years.
The ceremony starts. And a very tall woman with an awful green dress starts talking. Obviously she is from the Capitol. Her green dress has a maxi length, and she has a bright yellow hair to make her unbearable to the eye. She introduces herself as Cressida Hone. I can't stand seeing her with that pinkish makeup and red colored nails. I immediately shut myself away. However, I am brought back from my thoughts when I realize that Belmont is observing me with his dazzling dark brown eyes. If it were possible, I would run to him and plant a solid kiss in his mouth, but I know I have to wait until tonight.
All of the sudden, I see Cressida's hand in a big bowl with the label girls in it. I am still thinking of Belmont's lips, when Cressida speaks out loud with her annoying Capitol accent.
"Lucida Bolt!" she says. "Come and join us in stage Dear Lucida"
WHAT! Is all I can think. I feel numb and with nausea. I am pretty sure that I am about to vomit when I feel a hand in my back that is pushing me forward. I take look back and see that Elmira, a childhood friend, is the one that is pushing me. I look at her teary eyes as I turn around and motion myself into walking forward. I wasn't even taking this whole issue seriously until my name was called. I mean, what the hell is wrong with me! Suddenly, all I am thinking about is that maybe I will never see Belmont's face again. A few minutes ago, I was planning of growing old with him, and know the Capitol took another thing away from me.
"Bastards" I whisper to myself as I climb up to the stage.
"What was that my dear?" Cressida asks.
"Nothing!" I shout to her. Then I realize that I might get myself into trouble; all I can think about is closing my eyes.
She is startled by my answer and decides to continue with the reaping. She proceeds into the Boy's Bowl and takes out a slip of paper.
"Aveinus Copperfield" Cressida says.
I open my eyes to see my fellow tribute. He is a small 13 year old boy. He looks so scared and petrified. I feel bad for him because her elder sister is a friend of mine. His sister is Elmira of course.
We shook hands, and I realize that if I want to come back to Belmont, this small boy has to die.